In a male-dominated field, this female student is at the top

As a schoolgirl, Senzelweyinkosi Ngwenya, who lived in the remote village of Malunku in Nkayi, Zimbabwe, used to wake up at 3am to get ready to walk the 12 kilometres to school, a journey during which she sometimes encountered wild animals. Today, she has an honours degree in animal science and is the recipient of no fewer than 13 prizes from her university.

While her school fees were paid through the government’s Basic Education Assistance Module, part of the Enhanced Social Protection Project targeting orphans and other vulnerable children, her other needs – school uniforms, food, transport, books and stationery – were met by her mother, who gathered and sold wild fruits.

Ngwenya dreamed of becoming a veterinary scientist but could not afford the fees at the University of Zimbabwe and settled for animal science at the Gwanda State University where she graduated with a first-class Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Animal Science and got 29 distinctions as well as 13 prizes from the faculty of natural resources management and agriculture.

Among her prizes was the [state president] Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award of US$1,000 for the overall best graduating female student and the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor’s Award of US$500 for the graduand with the most innovative research project in the Department of Animal Science.

Ngwenya spoke to University World News about her academic journey thus far, the importance of supporting girls and women, and her future study plans.

UWN: What drew you into studying science?

SN: I love animals; l feel at peace when with animals. The love of animals came from the domestic animals – the cattle, goats and sheep – that we were rearing at home. There is no family influence in my choice. l just felt like doing it and my parents supported me.

UWN: You managed to dominate in a field crowded by men. What is your secret to success?

SN: My secret was to stay focused and stick to the goal to change my life, no matter what the circumstances. Even though l was walking 12km to school, I was determined to get an education. I wasn’t crossing rivers, but the area was bushy. Sometimes, l was really afraid. I once came across a buffalo; it was a terrifying experience. My father used to take me halfway in the morning when it was dark.

UWN: You were awarded 13 prizes. What was your study regimen like and were you a bookworm?

SN: My routine was to work at night when there were no disturbances. I was results-oriented and started studying from day one up to the last day. l am a bookworm, but I also used to attend church and made sure I got enough sleep.

UWN: What’s your advice to the girl child aspiring to attend university?

SN: I would advise the girl child to stay focused. Remember where one comes from and have goals.

UWN: Were there sacrifices you made to achieve this feat?

SN: I used to not tell my parents about school trips and other activities the other children were doing because l knew they had no money. They don’t do anything besides farming for a living. My father was once a builder and a teller but he was involved in an accident and can’t do that any more.

UWN: Most scientists are leaving Zimbabwe due to poor pay. Do you see yourself going that route? Have you received any offers from outside the country?

SN: I haven’t received offers yet, but I wish to do my postgraduate degree overseas. My wish is to go straight to a doctorate, but Zimbabwe doesn’t offer that option.

UWN: Few women study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. What are the obstacles, and what can be done to remove those obstacles?

SN: There are few women in STEM mainly due to the financial challenges that they face. I have friends from St Paul’s Amandlethu High School which I attended; they did very well in sciences but couldn’t pursue their studies further, owing to lack of funding. Some of them are now married. So I would argue that supporting a girl child financially would help.

UWN: How do you want to impact society now?

SN: I want to help girls in rural areas, especially those walking long distances. l have been there. l understand their struggles.